We’re enjoying winter break in Western New York this week, and I’m glad to have some extra time to myself to catch up on all sorts of fun things like laundry, tax preparation, and car maintenance. Did I mention the dentist? I have to schedule that appointment too.
At times, I’m a huge procrastinator, and there [...]
Last month, Bill Ferriter invited his readers to join him in an online study and conversation relevant to Kelly Gallagher’s book, Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It (which he made available for free download)! I’m hopping on a plane with my daughter Laura bright and early Saturday morning, and [...]
In my corner of the world, I don’t bump up against too many teachers who are resistant to tech integration, particularly as it concerns the work of literature circles. I know kids who circle up around blogs rather than books, and I know teachers who build literature circle roles around the tech skills they want their students [...]
When we invite students into literature circles, we commit to teaching processes and skills rather than hyperfocusing on the surface features of any one title. Literature circle work provides teachers the opportunity to discover and leverage so much about their individual students and the strengths that they bring to the table. There is space to [...]
Linda Clinton is a literacy coach in East Detroit Public Schools. She keeps up with much of what I write in this space, and I can always rely on her to provide insightful comments, meaningful feedback, and ideas that enhance the work that I get to do with teachers each day. As I began this [...]
As students engage in the work of literature circles, teachers assume a variety of roles.
Early in the process, roles and behaviors require defining. Teachers who take the time to demonstrate how they want their students to behave as cooperative learners are often rewarded by higher quality discussion, comprehension, and group engagement. In the beginning, mini-lessons might focus [...]
Most of the teachers that I work with have inherited students who are not yet accustomed to the cooperative learning structures and processes that drive effective literature circles. As a result, the honeymoon is often over far too soon as teachers begin confronting the reality of this learning environment: it’s a bit messier than what [...]
Planning to launch a literature circles experience requires teachers to begin with the end in mind. Considering what we want kids to know and be able to do at the end of the journey is a good place to begin, and rather than focusing on teaching specific books or titles, attending to identified skills and essential [...]
I’m a tremendous fan of literature circles. I used them frequently in my own classroom and enjoy learning more about the varied ways to maximize their potential. Many of the teachers that I’ve been working with this year have begun launching literature circles in their own classrooms, and witnessing the energy that builds in response to [...]
Providing choice, time, and access to great books goes a long way toward motivating kids who would rather not be reading, but as @steveshann reminded me on Twitter last night, community is everything and conversation is where it begins. Informal conversation.
Communities build around books and reading rapidly when we invite kids to share their honest [...]